Last Updated on December 28, 2024 by Kimberly Stroh
Hundreds of years ago, ancient rock formations in the Tennessee Mountains of Chattanooga, created some of the most beautiful places to photograph today. Rock City is a true marvel of nature that features ginormous rock formations, gardens, plants, and breathtaking views. As a social media maven, I’ve found the most Instagram-worthy spots in Rock City that you need to check out on your trip. Mother Nature was making Instagram walls long before anyone else did!
Check out all of the other great Things to do at Lookout Mountain
The Most Instagram-Worthy Spots in Rock City, Tennessee
Lovers Leap
There is a giant rock that extends from the side of the mountain and it tops my list for the best Instagram Worthy location in Rock City Gardens. It gets its name from the legend of two young lovers, a brave named Sautee and a beautiful maiden named Nacoochee, from two feuding tribes. According to the legend, Sautee was captured and thrown from the top of Lover’s Leap. Nacoochee, distraught from the loss, jumped to her own death. It’s also one of the most popular places in the United States to propose!
Swing-A-Long Bridge
To truly capture the views in a panoramic setting, head to the Swing-A-Long bridge. If you’re visiting with a friend, they can use the stone bridge that’s parallel to capture an awesome photo of you with the view as your backdrop. It’s 180 feet high and you’ll look pretty tiny compared to the valley behind you.
Fairyland Caverns
The lighting in Fairyland Caverns is awesome for photos. Frieda Utermoehlen Carter, one of Rock City’s founders, had a love of European folklore and fairytales. Her husband, Garnet Carter, hired a sculptor from Atlanta named Jessie Sanders to create scenes from some of the world’s most beloved fairytales. You can scroll through the caverns to look at the fairytale scenes and use the twinkling stone as a backdrop.
Café 7
Grab lunch and look over seven states that you can see from Lovers Leap. During the Civil War, both a Union officer and a Confederate nurse noted in separate diary entries that the summit afforded views of seven states. This cafe serves awesome southern classics while you enjoy a view unlike any other. I highly recommend the homemade kettle chips with your sandwich – perfect for the foodie on Instagram.
Needle’s Eye
One of the wonders of the rock formations is located in the gardens along the enchanted trail. Aim your camera up and capture the small space between the rock formations that you’re standing in.
Starbucks Coffee
Certainly not the most unique on my list, but every Instagram user loves a great coffee shop. The Starbucks on Lookout Mountain, next to Rock City, offers a stone backdrop under plenty of trees – perfect for that cozy fall foliage shot.
See Rock City Barns
Rock City officially opened as a public attraction on May 21, 1932. Soon after, Garnet Carter enlisted the help of a young sign painter named Clark Byers, who was hired to travel the nation’s highways and offer to paint farmers’ barns in exchange for letting him paint three simple words: See Rock City. You can see a barn from Lovers Leap if you look down and to your left. Snap a shot of this iconic sign, then take home a barn bird feeder for your house, from the gift shop.
The Incline Railway
The Incline Railway travels one mile up and down Lookout Mountain, making it the steepest Incline Railway in the world. Photograph the views and foliage that you can only see from inside the train.
Clumpies Ice Cream Co.
After you’ve taken the Incline Railway to the bottom of Lookout Mountain, head over to Clumpies Ice Cream Co. for the perfect snack photo. Their decadent homemade ice cream flavors are a delicious way to find relief from the heat. I tried the Whiskey Caramel Cornflake a waffle cone and it was worth all the calories for that Instagram shot.
Rock City Gardens During the Holidays
If you’re looking for some seasonal magic to add to your Instagram feed, the garden lights in Rock City Gardens are spectacular. The park adds festive decor throughout the enchanted trail, Christmas music, and special seasonal entertainment. It’s the perfect reason to go at night.
